Valentine's Theme Cooperative Learning Strategies

Kids are always excited about the upcoming holidays, and as teachers we look for ways to incorporate holidays into our curriculum. Here are a few ways to incorporate Valentine's Day, the curriculum, and cooperative learning. To find directions for the strategies listed below, visit these links within my blog.

  

Cooperative learning possibilities for the holidays are endless!

Four Corners

Yesterday, I introduced the Four Corners strategy.  Not only can it be considered paperless, but it is a great strategy to get your students moving.  Today, I have a few suggestions on ways to use Four Corners.  Like all strategies there are so many ways to use it! 

No worksheets needed for this activity!

Go Green with Cooperative Learning!

I am beginning a Go Green series.  By going green I will share ways to use cooperative learning in the classroom by cutting back on copies that you make and/or eliminating paper altogether.  There are so many ways to go green, and I can’t wait to share!

Multiples have been on my mind lately.  This is something that my students should know, but it so important that I want to reinforce.  Today I had a few extra minutes, so we did Four Corners.  Before I told them what we were doing, I wrote four numbers on the board (3,5,6, and 10).  Then, they were to pick a number and write it on a sticky note.  I then appointed each number a corner of the room in which they were to locate to.  Once they were in their corner, they found a partner and said the first ten multiples of their number in a popcorn fashion. 

This was a last minute idea with no preparation needed, and my students reviewed their multiples!  Easy, effective, and energizing!  

Tis' the Season for Singing

I am not a singer, but when it comes to Christmas songs I can't help myself!  As it gets closer to Christmas, the singing in my classroom begins to get a little loud.  Inspired by the cheerful voices, I have a freebie for you! With a little movement, students get to vote on their favorite Christmas song by moving to one of four corners, share with classmates why a song is their favorite, and then graph the results.  It's sure to be a hit!

Click HERE to download this freebie from my TpT store.

Customary Units of Measurement - Corners

1. Provide students with 4 choices:  Inches, feet, yard, and mile.  They choose which one they want to represent and think of a real world object they could measure.
2. Give students think time to choose their unit of measurement, and write it on a sticky note.
3. Have students give 2 or 3 ways they could use the unit they chose to measure an object.
4. Direct students to the designated areas.
5. Once they are in their area with their sticky notes, they pair up with someone in the corner and share their thoughts.

Operations-Corners

1. Provide students with 4 choices: Addition, subtraction, multiplication, or division.
2. They choose which one they want to represent and provide a problem and answer.
3. Give students think time to choose their operation, and write it on a sticky note.
4. Have students give 2 or 3 problems and answers that include the operation they chose.
5. Direct students to the designated areas.
6. Once they are in their area with their sticky notes, they pair up with someone in the corner and share their thoughts. (If needed, students may make a group of three, but no more)

Extending Corners

After completing a Corners exercise, add up all the students in each corner. As a class, team, or individually, create a graph based on the choices that the students made.

Lines of Symmetry-Four Corners

1. Give students the choice of drawing an object with exactly one, two, three, or four lines of symmetry.
2. Give students think time to write down how many lines of symmetry they want to use, and write it on a sticky note.
3. Have students draw their figure including the lines of symmetry.
4. Direct students to the designated areas.
5. Once they are in their area with their sticky notes, they pair up with someone in the corner and share their thoughts. (If needed, students may make a group of three, but no more)

Number Forms - Four Corners

Using Four Corners
1. Provide students with 4 choices:  Standard form, short word form, word form, and expanded form.  They choose which one they want to represent and think of a number to give as an example.
2. Give students think time to choose the form they want to represent, and write it on a sticky note.
3. Have students give 1 or 2 examples of the number form they chose.
4. Direct students to the designated number form areas.
5. Once they are in their area with their sticky notes, they pair up with someone in the corner and share their thoughts.  (If needed, students may make a group of three, but no more)